Prahlad Kakkar

Prahlad Kakar has a passion for scuba diving and in 2000 he became a CMAS 2 Star Scuba Diving Instructor. His other interests include Gourmet cooking, Reading, Swimming, Snorkeling, Scuba Diving, Squash and Horse Riding.

In 1999,He was one of the few Indian Directors to direct international commercials for clients like Uni Levers and Pepsico in Burma, Vietnam, Pakistan, Bangladesh and the Asia Pacific Region. He also started the speciality Tea House in Bombay, the first of its kind in the country. In 2000 he received the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award from IAAFA for his contribution to Advertising and Film Art.

In 1995 he set up 'Lacadives', a scuba-diving school, along with his wife Mitali Kakar at Kadmat Island, in collaboration with the Govt. of Lakshadweep. He also runs a coffee shop, and Casa Amore, a wine bar and restaurant, set up in Mumbai in 2001.

Lacadives, India's Premier Sports Diving Organization was set up in 1995, by Prahlad and Mitali Kakar in Kadmat Island with the active collaboration of the administration of Lakshadweep. Lacadives has set standards, which are on par, if not better than any other in the world, for safety and committed teaching of students, Indians and Foreigners. To date Lacadives has certified over 450 Indian Divers. It is the only CMAS certified Dive Centre in India and is also the only establishment to have Six CMAS Instructors working with it on a full-time basis. In March 2000 Lacadives was invited by the Casino Group to run the Dive Centre at the exotic Bangaram Island Resort at Lakshadweep. The Instructor to Diver Ratio in Lacadives' operations in Lakshadweep and Andaman & Nicobar Islands is better than any that can be found elsewhere in the world. This is what makes it India's Premier Diving Institution. In addition to this, Lacadives is part of the Underwater Federation of India and has established the Indian Scuba Diving Association to ensure the adherence of safety norms in this industry. To further complement its activities Lacadives has set up an NGO called REEF WATCH, whose mission is to create awareness amongst children through workshops and practical training about the fragile Marine Environment. Lacadives is also the first Dive Centre to have its own Live Aboard, SEA URCHIN, a 55-foot vessel, 150 HP Scania Engine, with sleeping facilities for 8 passengers and four crew. A compressor, de-salination plant, centrally air conditioned, with a 10-foot RIB and a diving platform.

Prahlad Kakar is the co-founder of ReefWatch Marine Conservation, set up in 1994, which aims at creating marine-life awareness. Prahlad Kakar supports and plays an important role as the Chief Advisor & Trustee of Natura Outdoor Education Trust.

In 1985, he ran a Gourmet Restaurant at the Prithvi Theater, Bombay with Jennifer Kendal Kapoor. In 2001, he started Casa Amore, an exclusive wine bar and restaurant. Prahlad has also created Papa Pancho for designer Mamta Sekhri. It is one of the few places in Mumbai that offers traditional, home-cooked Punjabi food. “Sarson da Saaga", Bombay's first " Slow food, Punjabi- home style cooking" opened at IMAX in March 2002.

After training under Shyam Benegal, Mandeep Kakkar and Ravi Uppor, Prahlad Kakar founded Genesis Film Productions in 1977.

Prahlad Kakar founded Genesis Film Production Pvt. Ltd. in 1977, after having assisted Shyam Benegal, one of India's most renowned filmmakers. Clients of the company include Nestlé, PepsiCo, Brittania, Levers. Prahlad has won several awards for technical excellence, Innovation and creativity in advertising over the years in India. Genesis won both gold and silver awards including campaign of the year for the Pepsi commercials at AAAI in 1996. The public films for Ceat won awards in the New York festival of Advertising. Commercials directed by Prahlad have also been nominated for Lions at Cannes. Twenty – five years down the line Prahlad Kakar has earned himself a Lifetime Achievement Award by the IAAFA in the year 1999 and has got Genesis the top Production House for two years in a row for years 2003 and 2004 by the Brand Equity. He has helped create campaigns for like “Yehi Hai Right Choice Baby! Aha!” Pepsi Ad, “The Zing Thing” Gold Spot Ad, “2 minutes!” Noodles Ad for Maggi, “Ting Ting Ti Ting” Britannia Biscuits Football Ad, “Zor ka Jhatka” for Limca and “It's different” for Maggi Ketchup.

Prahlad Kakar joined advertising in 1971, as an Accounts Executive at ASP (Delhi) and after a year, he was transferred to the company's Bombay office. In 1972, he joined the renowned feature director, Shyam Benegal, as an Asst. Director for films such as Ankur, Manthan, and Bhumika.

He also did his initial schooling from St. Joseph's Academy, Dehradun. In 1966, he passed out from Sainik School, Kunjpura, Karnal, Haryana in 1970, he graduated with Economics (Honors) from Fergusson College, Pune.

Prahlad Kakkar (born 24 March 1950 in Mumbai) is an Indian ad film director, best known for his work on the famous Pepsi TV commercial with Amitabh Bachchan and Sachin Tendulkar. He is the founder and main director for Genesis Film Productions, established in 1977